What. A. Day! I posted on Fb earlier today, that my Magpie decided to give her guinea pig, Waddles Fall, a new home. Before we left for CO, she saw an allergist because her congestion and asthma were just awful. She was so miserable. Secretly, I worried that it might have something to do with Waddles, as she had only had him about 2 months, and the symptoms were worsening.  She was having trouble sleeping, too, and his cage was in her bedroom. So, the allergist did the poke test of common allergens, including many grasses. The worst allergy she has, besides mold, is an allergy to timothy grass. It confirmed my suspicion about Waddles, as timothy hay is the main diet for all guinea pigs. It aides in digestion, but it also keeps their ever-growing teeth at bay. She cried when she heard the results, but I agreed that I would handle the hay, and we would see how her allergy medicine worked. 

Last night, she came to Scott and me, crying. She wanted to know if it would be alright to give Waddles a new home. “I am so tired of being sick all of the time,” she said. 

Oh, how we felt for her. This little guy was so loved and lived in the lap of guinea pig luxury. She hand picked his vegetables, she held him, she brushed him, she even strolled him around the house in a grocery cart. 

I cannot express adequately how proud we are of our growing girl. She made such an awfully tough decision, that we as her parents were going to have to make soon. But, she was ready. Her daddy took Waddles to a guinea pig rescue that was fantastic. They were sympathetic and non-judgmental. We donated all of his things, and they were thankful. Scott said that the facility was very clean and everyone was professional and caring. That made Maggie feel a lot better. 

She has cried on and off all day, and when she rested her head on her pillow before sleep, she let it all out. But, this evening she said, “Oh, my nose and chest feel so much better. I did the right thing.” 

I could learn a thing or 2 from this half-grown girl. So, so thankful to be her mother. Hurts me like crazy to see her 10 year old pain. 

We hope that Waddles has a wonderful life with his new friends.